When it is sunny, bass seek shade provided by cover, in some cases structure, as shade helps provide ambush points, cooler water and reduces their visibility to predators.
Why is Bass Use of shade Important?
It is important to understand bass use of shade to:
Identify Spots: Making presentations to specific locations that have shade, even a little shade, as it has a higher probability of a stationary bass.
Understanding How Bass Utilize Shade
Shade Sources: Bass can be found utilizing shade created by:
Structure Shade: Structures that have sharp drop offs will also provide shade depending on the sun direction providing suspended bass some of the ambush point benefits provided by shade.
Shade Lines: Some suggest that bass when opportunistically feeding will locate themselves on the shade line to ambush forage identified in the sunny side.
Time of Day: Bass roam to actively feed in the morning and late afternoon some suggest it is due to less direct sunlight and shade. As the sun rises in the east, so the eastern banks hold shade the longest in the mornings. Conversely, the afternoon sun sets into the west, so western banks provide shade.
Shade Benefits:
Ambush Points: Shade is less visible providing or contributing to an ambush point.
Cooler Water: The lower water temperature requires less energy some suggest
Direct Sunlight on Bass: Some suggest direct sun on the bass results in direct heat absorption which requires more energy.
Protection from Predators: Predators in the sunny section of the water have less visibility into the shaded section of the water.
Isolated Rock near Grass
Additional Considerations
Opportunistic Bite: Stationary bass near cover may eat forage that comes to their shady location but not travel to the sunny section.
